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The vegetative and reproductive growth stages in corn are described in Table 1. Vegetative growth stages in corn and Table 2. Reproductive growth stages in corn. CHU-M1 Season-Ending Dates – The end of the growing season is defined as the first occurrence of a killing frost (-2°C), or the date when the daily average temperature has historically […]
Seeding Date The best yields in Ontario are usually obtained from corn planted in late April and the first half of May, as the crop is able to use the full growing season. Early planting also results in earlier maturity in the fall, reducing the risk of damage from an early fall frost or adverse […]
Heat Unit Zone (CHU-M1) Switch Date >3,200+ May 30–early June 2800–3,200 May 20–25 < 2,800 May 15–20 Source: Adapted from R. Iragavarapu. Basing Hybrid Maturity on Long-Term Data. Pioneer Hi-Bred Ltd. Maturity Ratings Corn development is driven primarily by temperature, especially during the planting-to-silking period. Unlike soybeans, day length has little effect on the rate […]
To successfully produce corn in Ontario, it is important to consider factors such as soil texture and crop rotation. Factors that will influence tillage options include risk of erosion, availability of equipment and labour and impact on soil health. Soils in Ontario are usually saturated in early spring, and quick dry-down is necessary to ensure […]
Soybean aphids (SBA) have been spotted in a few fields in southern Ontario that haven’t seen SBA in quite a few years. As soybeans begin to enter R1, weekly scouting is advised, focusing first on the earlier planted fields close to or in R1, as well as any that have not had much rain and […]
Have you been seeing increased corn rootworm pressure in your continuous corn fields over the last few years? Monitoring with sticky traps can help you determine if you have a Bt resistant corn rootworm problem and it helps us keep track of where these problem fields are. Thanks to GFO and ABSTC, we still have […]
This cooler, wet weather seems to have delayed plant growth but also has been ideal for pests to build in fields or do more feeding while the plant growth is slowed. Cereal aphids have been spotted in several fields from Harrow to Stratford. Though cereal aphids can often be found at low levels in cereals, […]
Crop rotation is an integral part of the crop production system. The greatest benefit of rotation is increased yield, called the rotation effect. A well-planned crop rotation will also: Continuously growing any single crop will result in the build-up of diseases and insects specific to that crop and can cause yield reductions. For example, corn […]
Residue management impacts the quantity, location, and distribution of plant material left in a field, both on top of and within the soil. It includes factors such as harvest, tillage, and crops grown. Sound residue management is a critical component to success in field crop production, especially in reduced tillage systems. This factsheet focuses on […]
Ontario agriculture has changed drastically since the mid-20th century and even more in recent decades. Fields are much larger, crop and livestock production are more specialized, a smaller percentage of crops grown are perennial, and equipment is more sophisticated and larger than ever before. While modern crop production practices have brought gains in efficiency and […]
Inherent soil properties are a soil’s natural features; they fall outside the control of any land manager’s actions. Inherent properties have a great impact on the suitability of a soil to produce certain crops, as well as its overall productivity. In Ontario, inherent soil properties are a byproduct of glacial activity and retreat. Understanding inherent […]
Soil management refers to how a farmer works with their soil to produce crops. It includes all management aspects that impact soil, including the types and sequence of crops grown, residue management, tillage intensity and frequency, nutrient and pH management, and soil amendment application. Soil management has a strong influence on the productivity of any […]
Dry green soybean seeds at harvest are the result of an extremely dry growing season, especially during July and August and is more common on soils with poor water holding capacity. Green soybeans can occur even if the seed moisture has fallen below 13%. These green seeds are not the large unripe green beans that […]
Heavy rains soon after planting causing ponding will reduce plant stands due to crusting, seed decay, and diseases, see figure 1. If the water subsides in a few days, soybean stands are often still acceptable, although final yield may be impacted. Once plants have emerged the length of time soybeans survive under water depends on […]
Lightning damage is confined to relatively small circular or oval regions with a diameter of 5-10 m (13-30 ft). Damaged areas may take on the shape of the standing or running water that accumulated during a thunderstorm. Plants are usually killed but can survive on the edges of the affected area. Diagnosis is straightforward since […]